That which is intrinsically good is the remembrance (dhikr) of Allah—such as saying: “lā ilāha illā Allāh” (there is no deity but Allah), “Allāhu akbar” (Allah is the Greatest), “al-ḥamdu lillāh” (all praise is for Allah), and “lā ḥawla wa lā quwwata illā billāh” (there is no might and no power except with Allah). The finest form of dhikr is the recitation of the Quran.
A word that is good because of its purpose is any permissible speech, like conversing with people, provided your aim is to reassure them and gladden their hearts. Although such talk is not worship in and of itself, it becomes good by virtue of its end—bringing joy to your brothers—and bringing joy to your brothers draws you nearer to Allah. Therefore a good word is an act of charity, and this principle is among the most comprehensive of all.
The Prophet ﷺ also said, “In every step you take toward the prayer there is charity.”
Every step—that is, a single stride you take toward the prayer—counts as charity. Count the steps from your house to the mosque; they are many, yet each one is recorded for you as charity, provided you leave your home with your ablution perfected and nothing moves you to go out except the prayer itself. For every step there is charity, every step raises you one degree, and every step erases one of your sins. What tremendous grace!
So perfect your ablution at home, set out for the mosque with no motive but the prayer, and rejoice in three benefits: first, charity; second, elevation in rank; and third, the removal of a sin. All of this is from the favors of Allah, and success comes from Him alone.
2/249 — Umm Kulthūm bint ʿUqbah ibn Abī Muʿayṭ (may Allah be pleased with her) said, “I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say, ‘The one who reconciles between people—conveying good or saying good—is not a liar.’” Agreed upon.
In Muslim’s wording she added, “I heard him grant no concession concerning what people say except in three matters—she meant: during war, in reconciling between people, and in what a man says to his wife and a wife says to her husband.”
[Commentary]
The hadith cited by the author is the narration of Umm Kulthūm bint ʿUqbah ibn Abī Muʿayṭ (may Allah be pleased with her), in which the Prophet ﷺ said: “He is not a liar who seeks to reconcile people, conveying good…”